Focused ultrasonic transducer navigation system

Abstract

A focused ultrasonic transducer navigation system attaches to a patient and includes a housing that contains an ultrasonic device. An alignment system moves the housing, and moves the ultrasonic device within the housing, so a focal point of ultrasonic energy from the ultrasonic device is aligned in x, y, and z planes with a target location in the patient. The alignment system realigns the focal point of the ultrasonic device with the same patient target location over multiple therapy sessions eliminating repeated use of an MRI system for repeatedly realigning the ultrasonic device.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus, comprising:
 an outer housing configured to attach to a patient; 
 an inner housing attached to the outer housing; 
 a transducer retained within the inner housing and having an x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, wherein the z-axis is substantially transverse to the patient; and 
 an alignment assembly attaching the inner housing to the outer housing and configured to move the transducer within the inner housing into different positions along the x-axis and y-axis while the outer housing is attached to the patient. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outer housing comprises:
 arms extending radially outward from side walls; and 
 elevating screws extending through the arms and configured to each independently press against different locations on the patient and lift the inner and outer housing. 
 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the alignment assembly further comprises side adjustment assemblies configured to move the transducer within the inner housing into the different positions while the elevating screws lift the inner housing and the outer housing. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the side adjustment assemblies comprise:
 extensions extending from sides of the outer housing; and 
 adjustment screws threadedly coupled inside of the extensions and configured to push and pull the inner housing. 
 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the side adjustment assemblies further comprise:
 gradations located on an outside surface of the extensions; and 
 side adjustment knobs attached to ends of the adjustment screws and configured to rotate the adjustment screws and identify on the gradations a distance of movement of the inner housing. 
 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising pins located on sides of the outer housing opposite the extensions, wherein the pins are slidingly retained inside of holes extending into sides of the inner housing. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inner housing further comprises:
 a top end configured to slide against the outer housing; and 
 a bottom end having a flexible membrane configured to press against the patient. 
 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inner housing forms an internal chamber for retaining water or oil. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising nozzles extending through side walls of the inner housing, wherein the nozzles are configured to fill the internal chamber with the water or oil and bleed air bubbles from the internal chamber. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a transducer assembly configured to move the transducer within the inner housing in different positions along the z-axis. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the transducer assembly further comprises:
 a transducer lid forming an airtight cavity on a back side the transducer; and 
 a transducer base coupled to the transducer lid and forming a watertight cavity over a front side of the transducer configured to retain water. 
 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the transducer assembly further comprises a neck extending up from the transducer lid through the inner housing and the outer housing. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a threaded ring extending up through the inner housing and the outer housing and including a threaded inside surface configured to engage with threads formed on an outside surface of the neck. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising gradations formed on the outside surface of the neck, wherein a position of the threaded ring over the gradations identifies a distance of movement of the transducer. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising a first O-ring located between the threaded ring and the outside surface of the neck and a second O-ring located between the ring and a top wall of the inner housing. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising a top adjustment knob located on top of the outer housing and coupled around the threaded ring, the top adjustment knob configured to rotate the threaded ring to control movement of the transducer assembly inside of the inner housing. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising a cap threadedly coupled into a top end of the neck and extending over the threaded ring. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising straps configured to hold the outer housing and inner housing to the patient, wherein the outer housing is configured to lift the inner housing over the patient while the straps hold the outer housing to the patient. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible membrane coupled to a front face of the inner housing configured to maintain contact against the patient while the inner housing is moved into the different positions. 
     
     
       20. An apparatus, comprising:
 an outer housing configured to attach to a patient; 
 an inner housing attached to the outer housing; 
 a transducer retained within the inner housing having an x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, wherein the z-axis is substantially transverse to a surface of the patient; and 
 an alignment assembly coupled between the outer housing and the inner housing and configured to move the inner housing and the transducer into different positions along the x-axis and y-axis. 
 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of  claim 20 , further comprising a transducer assembly configured to move the transducer into different positions along the z-axis. 
     
     
       22. The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the outer housing comprises:
 arms extending radially out from side walls; and 
 elevating screws extending through the arms and configured to independently press against different locations on the patient. 
 
     
     
       23. The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the alignment assembly includes side adjustment assemblies configured to move the transducer within the inner housing into the different positions. 
     
     
       24. The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the side adjustment assemblies comprise:
 extensions extending radially inwards from inner sides of the outer housing; and 
 adjustment screws threadedly coupled inside of the extensions and extending radially inwards and configured to push and pull the inner housing. 
 
     
     
       25. The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the side adjustment assemblies further comprise:
 gradations located on an outside surface of the extensions; and 
 side adjustment knobs attached to ends of the adjustment screws and configured to rotate the adjustment screws and identify on the gradations a distance of movement of the inner housing. 
 
     
     
       26. The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising pins located on sides of the outer housing extending inwards toward the adjustment screws, wherein the pins are slidingly retained inside of holes extending into sides of the inner housing. 
     
     
       27. The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the inner housing further comprises:
 a top end configured to slide against an inside surface of the outer housing; and 
 a bottom end having a flexible membrane configured to press against the patient. 
 
     
     
       28. A transducer navigation system, comprising:
 an outer housing configured to attach to a patient; 
 an inner housing attached to the outer housing; 
 a transducer retained within the inner housing having an x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, wherein the z-axis is substantially transverse to the patient; and 
 an alignment assembly coupled between the outer housing and the inner housing and configured to move the transducer in the inner housing into different positions along the x-axis and y-axis. 
 
     
     
       29. The system of  claim 28 , further comprising a transducer assembly configured to move the transducer within the inner housing into different positions along the z-axis. 
     
     
       30. The system of  claim 28 , wherein the outer housing comprises:
 arms extending radially out from side walls; and 
 elevating screws extending through the arms and configured to independently press against different locations on the patient.